A routine closet purge led to an innovative business idea for friends Ellie Robinson and Tracey Gauvin.
The creative pair, who met as students in the costuming for stage and screen program at Capilano University, cleared out a bunch of T-shirts that hadn't been worn in ages - but they didn't want to throw them in the trash. Both handy with a sewing machine, they decided to turn their discarded tops into something new.
"It was just a way to use old T-shirts that we loved - maybe they were too small, maybe they had a hole in them, and we just didn't want to get rid of them - and so we decided to reinvent them into pillows or scarves or headbands and things like that," says Robinson, a North Vancouver resident.
In December 2009, Robinson and Gauvin launched Tee Cycle Depot, an online Etsy shop where they sold their handmade creations. Gently used T-shirts with a logo, an ironic saying, or band tour dates all had excellent upcyling potential, but the crafters soon expanded their materials to include salvaged fabric scraps and offcuts from their respective workplaces in the theatre and film costuming industry.
"Rather than see scraps end up in the landfill, we wanted to give them a second life."
When Robinson and Gauvin started working full-time, they had to put their Etsy shop on hiatus. Now that they are both comfortable in their careers, they're hoping to relaunch Tee Cycle Depot with a renewed energy in the late spring or early summer. To help her prepare for the re-opening, Robinson is enrolled in Etsy Resolution, a free online mentorship program designed to inspire entrepreneurs. It kicked off Jan. 25 and goes for four weeks. The program launched in Australia last year and is now running for the first time in Canada as well as France, Germany, Japan, Australia and the U.K. Registered participants can get advice, lessons and tips on opening their own Etsy shop.
"Things like branding and photography and tagging your items so you get found, things like shipping.
So it really just takes them through the process and it's also led by mentors who are actual Etsy sellers," explains Erin Green, managing director of Etsy Canada.
The Canadian mentors include lingerie designer Mary Young, stationery designer Erin Leroux, skirt and bag designer Mo Handahu, and vintage store owner Amy Honey.
"We chose people who have seen successes on Etsy, but are also willing to share the trials and tribulations and the challenges that bubble up for new makers," says Green.
In addition to receiving course material and homework assignments, a dedicated Facebook group connects the participants and allows them to share their progress, ask questions and get feedback.
"The community is really running this program, all we're doing is leveraging curriculum or lessons that already exist," Green says.
Robinson has especially liked the sense of community she feels as a member of the Etsy Resolution Facebook group.
"Everyone's being honest and they're talking about what they're struggling with," she says.
When Tee Cycle Depot is back in business, Robinson says online shoppers can expect to find some new product offerings, such as reusable cosmetic pads, to-go cutlery wraps and other practical, environmentally friendly goods.
"We wanted to come out with new products with this relaunch that help focus people towards an awareness of recycling and upcycling and moving towards a zero waste lifestyle."
